A24 Picks Up New Crime Thriller From Animal Kingdom’s David Michôd

Australian filmmaker David Michôd’s crime-thriller Animal Kingdom was a surprise hit when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and it was an even a bigger surprise when it ended up garnering an Oscar nomination for actress Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook). Now, A24 has announced that they have picked up the
U.S. theatrical rights to Michôd’s follow-up, The Rover, starring Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson.

Written by Michôd and based on a story conceived by Michôd and Joel Edgerton, the film is set within the criminal world that’s descended on Australian shores to mine the country’s natural resources where a loner named Eric (Pearce) has his car stolen by a gang who leave a wounded man (Pattinson) behind, forcing the the two of them to track the gang down.

You can read an earlier interview done with Michôd by clicking here and below is the full press release from A24:

A24 today announced the acquisition of David Michôds latest film The Rover for theatrical release in the U.S. The slow-burn thriller stars Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson and is set in the Australian desert in a dangerous and damaged near future. The film was written by Michôd and based on a story conceived by Michôd and Joel Edgerton. The Rover was produced by Liz Watts for Porchlight Film and David Linde under his Lava Bear Films banner, along with Michôd. The film also co-stars Scoot McNairy, David Field, Anthony Hayes, Gillian Jones and Susan Prior. Celebrated Argentinean filmmaker Natsha Braier acted as Director of Photography and Michôd also teamed up again with Animal Kingdom Production Designer, Jo Ford.

The Rover is set in a world ten years following the collapse of the western economic system, where Australias mineral resources have drawn the desperados and dangerous to its shores. With society in decline, the rule of law has disintegrated and life is cheap. The film follows hardened loner Eric (Pearce), who travels the desolate towns and roads of the Australian outback. When a gang of thieves steals his car they leave behind the wounded Rey (Pattinson) in their wake. Forcing Rey to help track the gang, Eric will go to any lengths to take back the one thing that matters to him.

A24 says: David Michôd is a visionary filmmaker and we are thrilled to work with him to bring THE ROVER to US audiences. The movie will undoubtedly confirm his singular voice and distinctive gift for creating arresting visuals and indelible characters.

Soon after confirming the U.S. deal producers Liz Watts and David Linde commented that A24 is a perfect fit for THE ROVER – a young, innovative and exciting company at the cutting edge of the independent sector in the US, they have contributed to an already exciting array of global distribution partners, and we are pleased to be partnering with them on the future release of the film.

A24 negotiated the deal with UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers and FilmNation Entertainment. UTA also represents Michôd. Prior to selling the U.S. rights to A24, FilmNation Entertainment licensed the film to a majority of territories worldwide based on selectively showing a two-minute reel of footage from the film.

The film was shot this spring on location in the deserts of South Australia, and is currently in post-production in Sydney. Village Roadshow will release the film in Australia and New Zealand. THE ROVERS investment partners include Screen Australia, the South Australian Film Corporation and Screen NSW, and financial partners Fulcrum Media and the Union Bank.